India amends IT rules to control social media platforms
India today (October 29, 2022) enforced amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 saying it was meant to protect the rights of citizens but critics allege the move is aimed at controlling the social media and big tech firms like Meta.
An official statement said the amendments, notified by the Ministry of Electronics and IT, comes "against the backdrop of complaints regarding the action or inaction on the part of the social media intermediaries on user grievances regarding objectionable content or suspension of their accounts," reports our New Delhi correspondent.
Indian Minister for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrashekhar told the media in New Delhi that constitutional rights of India's citizens should be respected by intermediaries, especially Articles relating to free speech, personal liberty and equality before law.
His statement assumes significance in the wake of the recent acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk who has spoken of his plans to have fewer limitations on the content posted online. This has sparked concerns that dialogue on the social media may have no safeguard against online bullying and harassment.
As part of the amended IT rules, 2021, the government has made a provision for a new government "grievance redressal" panel to hear complaints against content moderation decisions taken by social media companies.
The panel members will be appointed by the government which, activists say will amount to giving the government the final say over what content stays on and what is pulled down, with the power to overrule companies like Meta and Twitter if they remove or refuse to act on posts.
Chandrasekhar said the amended rules seek to address the gaps that had existed earlier so that intermediary social media platforms cannot be "misused" to "upload criminal, illegal, inciteful content and misinformation".
Terming the amendments as "a major push towards an open, safe and trusted and accountable" internet, the statement said the amendments would also enhance due diligence requirements and ensuring accountability of social media and other intermediaries.
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